Trailing Jade (Kleinia petraea)

Trailing Jade

Kleinia petraea

Plump trailing stems drape like living green beads, softening edges of shelves or rockeries. Succulent trailing perennial; common names: Trailing Jade, Rock Senecio.

Full sun
1/week
Beginner
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Plant Needs

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Sunlight Full sun to partial shade; requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal leaf color; tolerates bright indirect light indoors
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Watering Allow soil to dry completely between waterings; avoid overwatering to prevent root rot, the primary health risk for this succulent
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Temperature Thrives in 15–25°C; can tolerate brief dips to 10°C, but frost will damage or kill the plant
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Characteristics

  • Leaf: Fleshy, cylindrical blue-green leaves up to 3 cm long, arranged in whorls along stems
  • Stem: Slender trailing succulent stems, rooting at nodes when in contact with moist soil
  • Flower: Small daisy-like composite flowers with white/pale yellow petals and yellow centers
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Care Guide

Watering

Water thoroughly when the top 5 cm of soil is completely dry; reduce frequency in high humidity

Fertilization

Diluted succulent fertilizer applied once every 2 months. Discontinue fertilization in autumn and winter when growth slows

Banana peel compost tea:Use fully composted banana peels steeped in water for 24 hours; dilute 1:20 with water for root drenching to avoid nutrient burn
Pruning
  • Trim leggy stems in early spring to encourage bushier, more compact growth
  • Remove dead or yellowing leaves at the base to maintain plant health and appearance
  • Pinch back stem tips to promote branching and a fuller trailing habit
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Toxicity

Warning: this plant may be toxic.

Pets & Humans

Pets: ASPCA confirmed non-toxic to cats; no adverse effects expected from ingestion

Humans: No known toxicity to humans

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Garden Uses & Culture

Culture: N/A

Usage: Ornamental trailing succulent for hanging baskets, rock gardens, or indoor shelf displays